Difference between Z51 & Z52
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,198
Likes: 10
From: Homestead Fl
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
RPO Z51 ad RPO Z52 content changed slightly for 1988. Both had newly styled 17 x 9.5 wheels with 12 cooling slots and P275/40ZR17 tires. Z51 had higher spring rates and finned power steering as before but in 1988 it also received larger front brake rotors and calipers. RPO Z51 was limited to manual transmission coupes. RPO code Z52 was not restricted.............GEEZ.... I feel like I slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night...........Wait a minute.......It's right here in the Corvette Black Book. Thanks Mike Antonick.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Z51 also had some other HD items like cooling etc. but I don't remember them all. .... Wait a minute, I have a Z51, I could look all that **** up!.....Nah
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,371
Likes: 5,250
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Basically the same, but the Z52 rides a little smoother. I had an 87 with the Z52 and currently have an 85 with Z51. The Z52 was a little less hard riding but not quite as responsive handling as the Z51.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The Z52 used the base FE1 springs and slightly softer shocks but had most of the rest of the Z51 package save for a PS cooler. Other Z52 components included an oil cooler, HD radiator, auxilary cooling fan, quicker steering, and some front frame stiffeners from the convertible.
In 88, Z51 came with the new J55 13" front brakes and the 12" rear brakes while Z52 stayed with the 11.5" rotors. In 87, Z51 and Z52 got 16x9.5" wheels all around but in 88, Z51 and Z52 got 17" wheels.
Z51 was for coupes only but Z52 was available in both models.
In 88, Z51 came with the new J55 13" front brakes and the 12" rear brakes while Z52 stayed with the 11.5" rotors. In 87, Z51 and Z52 got 16x9.5" wheels all around but in 88, Z51 and Z52 got 17" wheels.
Z51 was for coupes only but Z52 was available in both models.
